The age-old question of whiskey vs. whisky ought to have a simple answer. Unfortunately, this conundrum isn’t as straightforward as the drink. Anyone who loves the drink will tell you that Scots make whisky, and everyone else just makes whiskey. The problem is that many distillers choose to be reckless with their spellings, and now they’ve gone and confused everyone. The difference between the two is not a mere convention of local language or preference; if it were, far fewer whisky lovers would be offended when the NY Times chose to publish an article on Speyside single malts using “whiskey” spelling. For true Scotsmen, this mistake is tantamount to unforgivable.

Therefore, the honorable difference in spelling whiskey to whisky is a matter of brewing origin and style. By referring to a whisk(e)y by its origin, we can keep from violating etiquette. Many countries have strict regulations on the preparation of whisk(e)y. For example, Irish whiskey must be aged in wooden casks, whereas Scottish whisky must be aged specifically in oak casks. Both agree it must be aged for longer than three years, but maybe their differences manifest themselves in spelling. Want something about the drink that is easy to remember? When ordering Scotch whisky in Scotland, you only have to order “whisky”.

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